News & Announcements

4-H Club State Competition Hosted at Centenary College Equestrian Center

04/09/2014, 10:30 AM

Hackettstown, N.J. – Centenary College was the host for the 4-H Youth Development Club’s annual state competition recently at the Centenary College Equestrian Center in Washington Township, N.J. For two days, 90 children participated in the Hippology and Horse Judging contests, competing in written exams, identification stations, team problems, slides and judging.

The competition kicked off with the Hippology contest, in which participants were judged on their knowledge of internal and external parts of the horse, horse nutrition, feeding and caring for their horse and horse management. Judging for the Hippology contest was held on Sunday in conjunction with the Judging contest. The Judging contest consisted of an evaluation of the horse’s type and confirmation, as well as performance classes such as Western pleasure, hunter jumper and several others.

“The 4-H organization shares similar philosophies of the Centenary College’s Equine Studies program in educating and developing the next generation of equine professionals,” says Dr. Michael N. Fugaro, Professor of Equine Studies and Veterinarian at Centenary College. “Many of Centenary’s students, faculty, staff and alumni started in 4-H in their respective home towns and it was from that experience that stimulated each of them to pursue careers in the industry. It was fun and exciting for Centenary College to participate in such an event.”

In participating in the competitions, many of the senior level youths earn the honor of representing New Jersey at the National Round up competition in Louisville, Kentucky.

The competitions ended Sunday, March 30. In the Hippology contest, first place for highest overall individuals went to Rachel Vence, a junior level from Warren County and Samantha Eristavi, a senior level from Somerset County. In the Judging contest, it went to Carson Swisher, a junior level from Atlantic County and Ryleigh Semanchik, a senior level from Warren County.

ABOUT THE 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION

Founded in the early 20th century, the 4-H Club is the largest youth development organization in the United States. Its goal is to help youth and their families learn leadership skills and the skills needed to become active members of their community. It determines to provide hands-on learning and life experience to students outside of school and to develop a more resourceful, innovative youth to benefit their local communities and their country as a whole.

ABOUT CENTENARY COLLEGE

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County). The Centenary College School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in two locations: Parsippany and Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey. The School of International Programs recruits international students for study at Centenary and Centenary students for study abroad.###